Jul. 31, 2009 - ZOOM! ZOOM! (that was summer...)

 

 

ZOOM, ZOOM!   (that was summer...)

IT HAS GONE WAY TOO FAST!!!

 

But I think that's always the way it goes here in Alaska.  Winter for 8 months, then "break-up", then 2-3 months of summer, then back to winter.  HA HA! 

* * * * * * * *

We have had a busy, fun, beautiful, every-single-day-filled-to-the-top, AWESOME summer!   I'm so sorry I haven't kept my blog up to date.  The problem has been me, but also a very slow (overworked!) computer that has been jammed up with all the photos I take.  If you know me, you know that some days I take 600 pictures.  In one day.  Then I try to work with them on this ol' box of tin, and it freezes up on me. Then I get mad.  And give up.  :)  Numerous times I have tried to make a blog post, but the computer froze and I quit.

ANYWAY, on to some pictures that briefly recap the past month or two.

Deal?  Deal.

This is "fireweed".  Alaskans know that blooming fireweed means summer is coming to an end.  It is said that when the blooms reach the top, we have 6 weeks until the snow flies.  I hope they're wrong this year!

 

 

 

Okay, back to the beginning of June.
Tony and I took a very quick trip to Minnesota to visit family and attend a family wedding.  It was a total surprise to his family when we showed up.  It was especially fun to get to introduce Remington to his Minnesota family.  Here he is with Papa Jackson (Tony's father)

 

The wedding we went to was beautiful, and it was especially fun to surprise Tony's Mom and Grandma.  (Deb, below left, and Delphine, below right).  Although Deb was highly suspcious and was looking to see if we might show up, I still think everyone was happy we hadn't told them our plans.  

It was really special to have 6 days with just the baby.  I think Tony really bonded with Remi during those few days.  No work, no job, no obligation... just time together.  It was really fun. 

We loved visiting MN, but were glad to get back to our other children and the glorious Alaskan summer.

 

 

 

 

When we returned, I had the pleasure of being the photographer for a friend's wedding.  Here is their beautiful family.  Jason has 3 children and Kaci has 3 children, and together they are now an awesome family of 8!  Aren't they beautiful!?

 

When we came home from Minnesota we brought Carol with us.  :)  Carol is Tony's step-mom, and she is one AWESOME grandma!  The kids just loved having her undivided attention for two full weeks.  She was such a great sport, heading to the lake at all hours of the night, reading books each morning, and helping cook meals and bake cookies.  We really loved having her here.  I joked about having my mother-in-law here for so long... but it was super easy and in fact I invited her back ANY time. 

 

And she even went "mudding" with the kids!!!

 

The day Carol left, we got to pick Kaiya up from the airport.  WE LOVE OUR KAIYA!!!!   :)   Kaiya is our cousin from MN, and she and Celina are great friends.

 

Kaiya was here for the 4th of July family picnic, and actually just left yesterday.  :(  We miss her already!

 

While Kaiya was here, we also had the pleasure of having Kerry and Julie visit.  Kerry is the awesome man who Tony is blessed to have as his step-dad.   We call him "Grandpa Kerry" around here.  :)   These two were very easy guests to have around.  They were so relaxed, and nothing seemed to phase them.  Their visit went by too quickly, but we hope they'll be back soon.

While they were here we visited the town of Seward.  We enjoyed walking around on the docks, a picnic on the beach, and time to just visit before they left.

 

We've also done a lot of goofing off!!

 

Evelyn waterskiied for her 2nd year in a row.  Way to go, Evy Jane!  :)  She's 5!

 

We've gone fishing, been at the lake a lot (waterskiing, tubing, etc), Sully had his 12th birthday, we went to a rodeo, we've canned fish, made jelly, gone beach combing, roasted hot dogs, and had many, many other fun adventures.  But, I'll save those pictures for another rainy day.  Right now the baby is asleep and there is laundry to fold.  OH, the sun is shining... I'd better re-think that plan.  :)

Love,
Leah

 

• Post A Comment!

Comments

Aug. 1, 2009 - <3

Posted by your number one fan!! :D

What a fun bunch of pictures, Leah! I especially like the one of Evy, CJ and me. :) I also really like the shot of the mountains with the water in the foreground. Very cool!

Ever since we had to (I emphasize the had) say goodbye at the airport, I've really missed you all a ton. So I enjoy reading your blog and going through my different files of pictures, either editing them or just looking at them again...and again. :)

Thank you for your update and awesome photos!
I love you,
Kaiya

• Permanent Link

Aug. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by subbertfamily

Beautiful photos and a beautiful family!! Looks like you're really enjoying your short but wonderful summer!! Enjoy the rest!!
Blessings,
Michelle

• Permanent Link

Aug. 16, 2009 - Neato!

Posted by ger

OK, I'll post although you only LURK at my blog. Hee hee. :) What wonderful pictures. I know what you mean, I have so many pic and you can only deal with so many. Sometimes you have so much to blog about, its hard to start! Looks like you guys have had a fun summer like we have. What a GREAT one!

• Permanent Link

Aug. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SchoolinRhome

Wonderful photos as usual! I hope you have a great start back to school. Summer certainly did just fly by!

• Permanent Link

Sep. 6, 2009 - Fun

Posted by basketflat

Thanks for all your updates on your family. I've seen the photos on facebook, but never the context. It's fun to read about your summer. You all sure have a lot of fun don't you? I think that Tony's dad looks an awful lot like Remington (or maybe the other way around). How neat to have such warm family around for so much of the summer.

Cathy

• Permanent Link